Curare and Its Veterinary Use in Myasthenia Gravis

On why Curare is a good remedy for Myasthenia Gravis and the role it plays in this condition in a veterinary setup.

Translation by Edward DeBeukelaer and Thierry Clerc

1) Name and Synonyms

German: Curare, Kalebassen curare

English: Wourari, Wurari, Arrow Poison

French: Curare

Latin: Curare woorari

Abbreviation: Cur

2) Characteristics of the remedy

a) Physio-chemical characteristics

It is a lethal paralysing poison used by the Indians of South America to poison their arrows for warfare and hunting. The poison is prepared by using a number of different plants belonging to the Loganiaceas and Menispermaceas family.

The mixture of harvested bark and leaves of the plants are boiled for 3 days. This produces a thick syrupy mass. There are about 40 types of Curare used in the Amazon. The curare is also used as antiseptic, diuretic, anti-pyretic and tonic.

Curare is a strong inhibitor of skeletal muscle function. Its action is at the level of the neuromuscular junction by connecting to the nicotinic receptors on the extremity of the motor neuron in competition with acetylcholine. Once the receptors for acetylcholine are blocked, the muscles cease to respond to nerve impulses. This causes a paralysis that leads to death, due to suffocation. Consciousness and sensation are preserved but the poisoned individual cannot respond to anything.

b) Systematic position

According to Frans Vermeulen, the ‘curare in pots’ is mostly used in East Amazonia and mostly prepared from the Loganiacea family of which Strychnos Toxifera is part. In West Amazonia the ‘curare in tubes’ is mostly used, and is prepared from a Menispermacea called Chondrodendron tomentosum better known by homeopaths as Pareira Brava.

c) Active principles.

The main alkaloids and active constituents of curare owe their names to the way the Indians prepare and preserve them.

Tubocurare or bamboo curare, gets its name from being kept in the hollow stems of bamboo. The principal toxin is D-Tubocurarine, a quaternary mono-alkaloid derived from isoquinoline.

Calabash curare is kept in gourds. The principal toxins are alcuronium (alloferin) and toxiferin.

Potcurare is kept in earthenware jars. The active principles are protocurarin, protocurin and protocuridin.

d) Preparation method.

Curare used to prepare the remedy is from plants of the Loganiacea family: strignos toxifera. The part of the plant used for this preparation varies according to the literature: according to SILVA. J.B. ,it is the thick juice. According to ALLEN T.F. it is the poisoned arrow point. According to DEWEY W.A. it is the resin and according to GUERMONPREZ M., It is the bark or the root of the plant.

3) Toxicology

a) Acute:

There is first an acceleration, followed by paralysis of the respiration ending in asphyxia.

Curare causes a flaccid muscular paralysis, starting at the eyes and descending towards the diaphragm. Awareness and sensation are conserved. The poison acts on the nerve-endings of the peripheral motor neuron of the muscle, by competing with the normal neurotransmitter. There is also a reduction in rectal temperature and an increase in the temperature of the extremities caused by a vasodilatation (H. Voisin)

Curare is an antagonist of acetylcholine, causing an inhibition of the autonomous sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. It has a post synaptic effect. Via the oral route the toxicity can only be achieved through massive doses because curare is mostly destroyed by digestive enzymes.

Injection causes a paralysis with normal consciousness followed by asphyxia due to paralysis of the respiratory muscles. Voluntary movement becomes impossible.

D-Tubocurarine can cause histaminic reactions like bronchospasm, hypotension and tachycardia.

b) Chronic

The same paralysis with loss of reflexes, but conservation of consciousness and sensation. There is increased urine production with glucosuria and the presence of glycosuric acid.

4) Non Homeopathic use

Apart from their know uses to poison arrowheads, curare is used in allopathic medicine as a muscle relaxant during surgery. Several commercial formulations are available. According to Vermeulen, most Tubo-curare is used in these formulations.

5) Homeopathic action of the remedy.

The curare patient cannot make any movement and there is a progressive peripheral paralysis with conservation of consciousness and intelligence. The will cannot act anymore. Deglutination, movement of the jaws, and constriction of the pupils become impossible. There is diabetes and a tendency to hypothermia. The Curare patient cannot stay upright.

6) Modalities, periodicity and etiology.

a) aggravations

Cold weather, cold wind, cold air.

Humidity

Change of weather

Motion aggravates, including mastication.

2 in the morning or 2-3 pm.

From milk or wine

b) Ameliorations

After eating a small amount of food.

c) Laterality

The pains are one sided or in diagonal. They extend to opposite the side laid on.

d) Etiology

Abuse of strychnine which is antidoted by curare

7) Homeopathic symptoms,

a) Mind and emotions

Irresolute, loss of memory, feels drunk, soporific. The patient is depressed and avoids company. He avoids the gaze of others and withdraws onto himself.

The patient can be angry, cruel, can hit others, may have a desire to kill or hit himself. There is an abhorrence of all work. Fear of falling forward when rising. There is confusion and a possibility to fall in a heap when standing or walking.

He follows imaginary persons.

b) Generals

Vertigo following exhaustion and fixing or looking at moving parts.

Chill during movement. The chill travels along the back and then towards the whole body. There is no thirst.

Perspiration at the least effort. Cold and bloody sweat, mainly at night.

c) Regional symptoms.

Head: sensation of boiling, simmering in the head, aggravated at the least movement.

Stinging pains above the right eye.

The hair loses its lustre and becomes gray.

Various sorts of headaches, congestive flushes.

Expressionless, flaccid paralysis of the face and mouth possibly evolving to difficulties of swallowing.

Eyes: heaviness of the eyelids, ptosis, sensitivity to light.

Expression haggard.

Ears: Otitis media with unbearable pain and fetid discharge.

Tinnitus: Whistling, bells, animal cries.

Lancinating pains from the ears, radiating pains in the legs, forcing him to lie down.

Nose: catarrh, ozena, discharge of packs of pus.

Mouth: taste bitter or blood

Skin: eczema, pruritis with appetite, the skin is blue even during fever. Hepatic-like brown spots.

Mouth: paralysis of face and mouth. Mouth and tongue are drawn to one side (mainly right side). Dry mouth, coated tongue in the morning.

Stomach: Thirst and increased appetite during fever. Thirst mostly in the evening and night. Acid eructation and pains and bloat after taking the least amount of food.

Frequent and annoying hiccough. Nausea in the morning and after eating.

About the author

Claudio Martins Real

Prof Dr. Claudio Martins Real founded the Brazilian Association of Veterinariany Homeopaths, (ABMVH)1993. He has published 30 original papers, including works on homeopathy. His past memberships have included : Board of Homeopathic League of Rio Grande do Sul, Centre Homeopatique De France and IAVH. He"™s received numerous titles and awards including the "Great Cross of Merit Veterinary Brasileiro" granted by Society Brazilian Veterinary Medicine, 2010.
Born 1926, he graduated as a veterinarian 1948, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Porto Alegre,. UFRGS, then School of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine. TÃ­tulo HonorÃ­fico de "Precursor da Homeopatia VeterinÃ¡ria Brasileira" concedido pela ABMVH em 2000. Free Docent of Clinical Medicine and Pathology of Domestic Animals. Emeritus Professor of Pathology and Clinical Medicine of Domestic Animals, UFRGS (1950-1982). Head of Department of Medicine (elected) of the Veterinary Faculty of UFRGS 1969 to 1979. Coordinator of the Graduate Program in Veterinary Medicine, UFRGS 1975 to 1982. Titular Professor of Clinical Medicine, Course of Veterinary, UFMS ,Campo Grande MS.through public tender. 1982 to 1995. Member of the Central Research Comite of UFMS 1985 to 1992.

Dear colleagues; Ignac io Cabrera and Kanj Kumar. I am very happy to know that my colleague has enjoyed working on Myasthenia Gravis. I’m going to report to my colleague that in August in the past year I was contacted by the father of a young patient with Myasthenia and using an allopathic treatment that through a mutual friend knew our work. He asked my opinion if her son could use to my medication. I recommended Curare 30 CH three times a day and that he was gradually eliminating the allopathic drugs. This was done and now the young man is completely healed, without any symptoms of Myasthenia Gravis Cmreal